A brief overview of the institution

University “Ukshin Hoti” Prizren was established by Decision no. 01/87 of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on 09.10.2009, as the second public university in the Republic of Kosovo. University started with the first generation of students in the academic year 2009/10, respectively on 01.10.2010. The Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo on 30.05.2013 approved the Statute of the University. University inherits the experience of the former Pedagogical High School, a separate branch of the University of Pristina, which offered studies from 1961, and later transformed into the Faculty of Education branch in Prizren.

The initial idea for the establishment of University was born out of the immediate need of the Prizren regional market demand for the preparation of specialists in the field of primary and secondary education, linguistics, information technology, international business and management, agribusiness, forestry and environmental science, law and other fields. The University study programs are designed in close collaboration and with permanent international consultancy. University study programs are coherent with the latest European academic development trends.

Students who study at University come from the Prizren region (Prizren, Suhareka, Rahovec, Malisheva and Dragash), other regions of the Republic of Kosovo and Northern Albania. The age structure of the students is largely young. The socio-economic background of University students is of average level, in line with the socio-economic status of the majority of the population.

The University Strategic Plan 2020-2024 builds on the seven strategic priorities:

• Quality assurance in teaching and learning;
• Development of research work;
• Contribution to the community;
• The internationalization and networking process;
• Development of infrastructure;
• Digitization and integrated data system; and
• Financial sustainability

The University governance is based on the University Statute, approved in the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo. The main governing authorities of the University are Steering Council, Rector and Senate. All University governing authorities operate on the principle of majority voting, unless specified otherwise in this Statute. The mandate of all University governing officials and ruling authorities shall commence on October 1, unless otherwise provided in the University Statute.

Participation of the student representatives in different University governing bodies is also regulated by the University Statute:

• Student Council shall discuss and decide on all matters regarding the rights and responsibilities of students in college.
• The Student Council conducts its own interests related to the performance of the learning process, through their representatives on the council of the faculty.
• Members of the faculty Student Council participate in proposal the candidates for the dean.

Students have the right to establish student organizations which student interest will be represented within the University with the following bodies:

• Parliament students at university level;
• The students at the academic
• Student Parliament is the highest authority of students’ representatives.

Currently, the University consists of 6 faculties offering 21 study programs (Table 1), in two study levels, bachelor and master. In addition to study programs in Albanian language, University also offers students study programs in Turkish and Bosnian language. The linguistic diversity of study programs makes University unique compared to other Universities in Kosovo.

 

 

Table 1. List of the faculties and study programs at the University “Ukshin Hoti” Prizren

No.	Faculty / Study program	Level	ECTS	Accredited until
I. Faculty of Economics
1.	Business Administration	BSc.	180
2.	International Management	BSc.	180
3.	Business Administration	MSc.	120
4.	Accounting and Auditing	MSc.	120
II. Faculty of Computer Sciences
5.	Information Technologies and Telecommunication	BSc.	180
6.	Information Technologies and Telecommunication (Bosnian)	BSc.	180
7.	Information Technologies and Telecommunication (Turkish)	BSc.	180
8.	Software Design	BSc.	180
9.	Computer Science and Communication Technologies	MSc.	120
III. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences
10.	Agribusiness	BSc.	180
11.	Forest and Environmental Sciences	BSc.	180
12.	Agribusiness Management	MSc.	120
IV. Faculty of Education
13.	Preschool Education	BA	240
14.	Preschool Education (Bosnian)	BA	240
15.	Preschool Education (Turkish)	BA	240
14.	Primary Education	BA	240
15.	Primary Education (Bosnian)	BA	240
16.	Primary Education (Turkish)	BA	240
V. Faculty of Law
18.	Law	LLB	240
VI. Faculty of Philology
19.	Albanian Language and Literature	BA	240
20.	English Language and Literature	BA	240
21.	German Language and Literature	BA	180

 

University has established the Career and Alumni Centre (CAC) which focuses on creating a bridge between academic work and the job market, through student orientation, counselling and professional development, namely professional development of graduate students and their approximation with the labour market.

The University academic staff has high academic preparation and high ethical and professional integrity. They actively participate in congresses, conferences, seminars and research workshops. University’s academic staff is also co-organizer of regional and international scientific conferences. At the same time, University students are an active part of scientific activities, in close collaboration with academic staff.

These research capacities help to carry out research projects, deepen cooperation with international academic staff and the mobility of academic staff and students.

The University contribution to community is vital to the development of the University. To this end, Industrial Advisory Boards (IAB) have been established within each academic unit. IAB serves the University academic units for communication and interaction with the regional business community and beyond.

The University campus is located near the Prizren city park. The University infrastructure consists of: 40 classrooms, 3 Amphitheatres, 47 offices for academic and administrative staff with a total infrastructure area of ​​approximately 14,820 m². The University facility owns a University Library which has a fund of over 60,000 book titles in Albanian, English, Turkish, Bosnian and other languages. IT cabinets are also an important part of the University infrastructure.

Finally, the University has updated its legislative and functional framework in full compliance with the standards of the Accreditation Manual of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) and the standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).